School Visit

We visited a K-10 experimental public school in New Delhi. Students wear uniforms and every student wears an ID card around his or her neck. All instruction is in English, which is true for most fee-based schools here. We learned that there is quite a big difference between "government schools" and "public schools" here. Government (free) schools are mostly populated with the very poor. Resources are minimal. I'll write more about this type of school once I get the chance to visit one. Public schools are fee-based and most families who could afford it, will prefer to send their children to this type of school.

 5th grade poster

This 5th grade math class that I observed reminded me of my class at Hannah Senesh. Students were working together to solve double-digit multiplication problems on the board. There was a sufficient about of chatter as students brought their work up for the teach to check or showed their work to each other. This is an inclusion school. Students with special needs sit in general education classes and are pulled out for individual lessons periodically during the day.

5th grade math class

5th grade math teacher

One teacher was going to a wedding that night and had her hands painted with henna in preparation.

In charge of our visit to the school were three impressive women: the head of the school, the lower school principal and the school trustee (introduced as the owner of the school). These women described their school as student-centered, non-competitive, and a place where students are happy. The culture truly reminded me of Hannah Senesh, except for the level of formality. When I walked in to a 9th grade math class, the students stood up to greet me. While walking in the hallway with the heads of school, teachers stopped to let us walk through. The level of professional respect was very different from American schools.